Overview
Background
Kieren McCosker has expertise in tropical beef production. Kieren completed an Agriculture Science - Animal Science degree (University of Queensland) and later a PhD (School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland) deteriming the factors associated with reproductive performance in northern Australia beef cows, otherwise known as the Cash Cow project while working in the Agriculture Division of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. In 2021, Kieren commenced working with the Centre of Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation and comes with approximately 20 years of experience investigating production issues across many facets of the northern beef production system and south-east Asia. Some of his current projects examine the impact of shade and paddock infrastructure on calf mortality, and utilising remote technologies to remotely detect key production events, such as calving and associated maternal behaviours.
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Australian Association of Animal Sciences
Works
Search Professor Kieren McCosker’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Conference Publication
Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning
McCosker, K. D. and Schatz, T. (2019). Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds
Cowley, Robyn, McCosker, Kieren D., Pahl, Lester, Smith, Dave, Whish, Giselle, Wooderson, Melissa, Fordyce, Geoffry, Holloway, Christopher, Jenner, Dale and Materne, Christopher (2019). Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
“Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification
Walsh, D. and McCosker, K. (2019). “Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Shifting cattle from grazing extensive pastures to floodplain pastures in the Northern Territory: effect on rumen microbial communities
Gilbert, Rosalind, Ouwerkerk, Diane, Negara, Windu, Schatz, Tim, Kleive, Athol and McCosker, Kieren (2019). Shifting cattle from grazing extensive pastures to floodplain pastures in the Northern Territory: effect on rumen microbial communities. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Calf Watch – developing a system to remotely monitor calving and study calf loss in extensive situations in Northern Australia
Schatz, T., McCosker, K., Wooderson, M., Bailey-Preston, G. and Boughton, R. (2019). Calf Watch – developing a system to remotely monitor calving and study calf loss in extensive situations in Northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council .
2019
Conference Publication
Supplementation effects on growth and fertility in lactating Bos indicus cows in the Katherine region, Northern Territory
McCosker, Kieran D., Monk, B. and Lynch, Dan (2019). Supplementation effects on growth and fertility in lactating Bos indicus cows in the Katherine region, Northern Territory. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2018. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Northern Australia Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
Phosphorus supplementation and female PiP levels in the VRD, NT
Schatz, T. and McCosker, K. (2019). Phosphorus supplementation and female PiP levels in the VRD, NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
A single-shot 5-in-1 vaccination at the time of dehorning/castration and prevalence of ‘missing’ animals at future mustering events
McCosker, K. D., Ward, J. and Douglas, J. (2019). A single-shot 5-in-1 vaccination at the time of dehorning/castration and prevalence of ‘missing’ animals at future mustering events. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2021. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council .
2019
Conference Publication
Brahman and F1 Senepol x Brahman heifer performance in the NT
Schatz, T., McCosker, K., Wheeler, J. and Dollemore, W. (2019). Brahman and F1 Senepol x Brahman heifer performance in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2019
Conference Publication
The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation
McCosker, K., Quigley, S. P., Nunez, C. N., Bailey-Preston, G. and Wooderson, M. (2019). The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation. Northern Australian Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 19-22 August 2019.
2018
Conference Publication
Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT
Schatz, T. and McCosker, K. (2018). Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Australian Society of Animal Production Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, 3 July 2018.
2018
Other Outputs
Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers
Poppi, Dennis, Silva, Tiago, Quigley, Simon, Kidd, Lisa, Anderson, Stephen, McCosker, Kieren, Mohr-Bell, Rebecca and Schatz, Tim (2018). Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2017
Journal Article
Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry
Srirattana, Kanokwan, McCosker, Kieren, Schatz, Tim and St. John, Justin C. (2017). Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry. BMC Genetics, 18 (1) 59, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12863-017-0523-5
2017
Other Outputs
Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia
McGowan, Michael, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, McCosker, Kieren, Barnes, Tamsin, Hegardy, Roger, McNeil, David, Perksins, Nigel and Miller, Joe (2017). Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia. North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
2016
Other Outputs
Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia
McCosker, Kieren (2016). Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia. PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.44
2016
Conference Publication
Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain
McCosker, K. D. (2016). Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia:
2016
Conference Publication
High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows
Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoff and McGowan, Michael (2016). High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT
Schatz, Tim and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Resaerch Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia
Schatz, Tim, Taylor, Lee, Letchford, Peter and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Other Outputs
Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia
Mayberry, Dianne, Cowley, Frances, Cramb, Rob, Poppi, Dennis, Quigley, Simon, McCosker, Kieren and Priyanti, Atien (2016). Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia. Canberra, ACT Australia: ACIAR.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
The investigation of the use of odour-detection dogs for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini, Associate Professor Gry Boe-Hansen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding body temperature regulation in grazing cattle and the effects on production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing Dairy Pasture Management: Evaluating Warm Season Perennial Species and Grazing Practices on Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Cows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating conservation with production in Queensland grazing landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva
Media
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